Valve-controlling mechanism.



J. M. ROB.

VALVE CONTROLLING MECHANISM APPLICATION run! 00121. 1905.

Patented K211281910.

an 4 B lhvan curdam-1 MIREJE m QQMK EM my M W m J. M. ROE. VALVE CONTROLLING HEGHANISH.

APPLICATION YILEID OCT. 1, 1908.

Patented Mar.8,1910.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Inv an or 22";

Wrnasse':

PLRDE ZQLW DFDEEEL J. M. BOB.

VALVE CONTROLLING mncmmsm LPPLIOATION FILED OCT. 1. 1906.

Patented Mar. 8, 1910.

im a

M. F. n

m ENQW APPLICATION FILED OCT. 1. 1908.

Patented Mar. 8, 1910 4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

orneg- I iitlll .lxiSEililXiii l1\v\l.l.l. 3

cylinder.

UNITED STATES PATENT onnron.

JOHN M. ROE, OF CHICAGO. ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T0 UNDER-FEED STOKER- COMPANY OF AMERICA, 01 CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. A CGRPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

vsLvn-conrnomlno mscnnwsm.

Specification of Letters Patent.

1806. Serial H0. 336,931.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Jon); M. lion, citizen of the United States, residiiig at Chicago, in 5 the county of Cool; and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Inn 7 provement in Valve-Controlling Mechanism, of which the following a full, clear, concise, and exact description. reference. being had to the accompanyiixgdrawings, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to valve cont-rolling mechanism which is of particular adaptability in steam operatedstokers.

My invention may he considered an improvement over the valve .-ontrolling mechanism disclosed in Patent No. 782.255) gr. ntl ed l ehrunry 14, 1905 to A. A. Ramsdell. 'ith the arrangement shown in this patent it is impossible to know what is the position of the valve at. any time or whatits adjustment A ratchet wheel is here shown, secured to the valve stem, and a pawl carried on a reciprocating frame engages the ratchet wheel and can he adjusted to rotate the valve stem through any art: during each reciproca- 2 tion of the pawl supporting frame. There are no indlcatin; means, however, from which the operator can ascertain the various movements or adjustment of the valve. and. f the pawl should overthrow or miss during its operation. the adjustment of the valve would be deranged without the knowledge of the operator. The valve-outlet upon advancement of the valve tem does not alway. come U) rest directly over the port openings and some times merely passes over thenng thus interfering with the free andsutiicient passage of steam to the stoker cylinder. Another disadvantage in this arrangement is that. the valve is held agains the valve seat 5 under full pressure, thus putting a severe strain on the valve driving me hanism as well as causing rapid wearing away of the valve seat.

The ohjectof my invention is to provide means whereby the valve. operation and '3 movements will be indicated and can he as' certained at any time. Provision is made to cause the valve outlet to at. all times come to rest directly in registration with the port openings and to remain in such position for a sufficient length of time to give sutlicieut i time for'the passage of steam to the triker I Provision is also made or removing the full pressure from the va. .(3 and i cate with the outlet chamber 6 u retain only sufficient pressure thereon to insure seating thereof.

My improvements will he better underf: stood when described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 is an end or side view of the valve mechanism; Fig. 2 is a front View thereof. showing the various valves connected together for simultaneous cue-ration; Fig. 3 is a rear view, showing the exhaust outlet and the port openings, a etoking mechanism being also shown whose connection with the port openings is indicate by dotted lines; Fig. 4 is an enlarged diametrical w of one valve mechanism; Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 4; Fig. 7 is a sectional View taken on line 7--7 of Fig. 4: Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of the valve driving mechanism with the front wheel removed therefrom; F ig. 9 is a sectional view taken on line 99 of Fig. 8; and Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken airline 10-40 of Fig.

The upright frame 1 at its lower end provides a valve seat 2 against which rests the valve 3, from which extends the valve stem 4. The construction of this valve is best shown in Fig. 6, the valve being a cylindrical casting, having an exhaust chamber 5 and an outlet chamber (5 separated from the exhaust chamber by the partitions 7 and 8. T he outlet chamber 6 connects with opening 9 through the channel 10 leading through the valve stem. The valve cap 11 engages over the valve and about its seat and is secured to the frame 1 by bolts 12, 12. In this cap there is an annular chamber 13 register- Patented Mar. 8, 1910.

ing with the opening 9, and a pipe 1- lead" ing from this annular chamber is connected with the boiler. Through the frame 1 and leading to the exhaust chamber is the passageway 15, from which extends the exhaust pipe 16. As best shown in Fig. 3, there are also two ports 17 and 18 extending from the frame 1. disposed to successively communin rotation of the valve. The port 17 is i lustrated as being connected with the front of the stoker cylinder 19 while the port. 18 is represented as being connected with the rear endof [he stoker cylinder. and therefore, as the valve is rotated, steam is successively ad- -i mitted to the front and rear of the cylinder,

and the charging plunger 9.0 thereof is actu- .W wvuvmmmun. W... U. m MMwww....... M.-.

atcd to force fuel into the furnace with which the stoker is associated in a manner already known to the art. Between the stem proper and the valve is a portion 21 of renter diameter than the stem which ofrords a shoulder or ledge 22 subjected to the pressure of the steam in the annular chamher 13, and there is, therefore, a tendency to Les 3' "st sufficiently to insure proper sector; of th "With this arrange mcn'r. the valve ctlcally floated by the steam and practically no power will be require to cause rotation thereof. A clearance space it is maintained between the cylindricalsurface of the valve and the cap, while a clearance spa ce 25 is maintained between the top of the valve and the cap, a small passageway or rent 25 connecting the clearance space 25 with the exhaust curmher. This went allows the escape of water which may leak between the valve cover and the part 531 into the clearance spaces.- It atcr were allowed to accumulate in the :earance spaces the back presszre of the :eam agar rst the valve would be nullified. d the alve would then he forced against .tiseat by the full pressure of the steam. The clearance spaces also come into play nice the valve is suddenly pulled away iron: s seat, as might be the case w .t on the valve triving mechanism is being adjusted. As so as the valve leaves its seat any distance.

immediately rushes through the clear- 1 i4- and into the clearance space 25 vnnncdiahely forces the valve back against its seat.

The valve stem passes through the stulling box 27 and near its end carries the ratchet disk 28 and another ratchet disk 29, both dis s being secured to the stem. Loosely mounted on the valve stem in front of the disk 39 is a frame 30 to which is pivoted u pawl 31 for engaging with i re teeth 32 of v the ratchet di: Loosely mounted on the stem are also the members or crank frames 33 and 34 connected together at their crank ends by the crank PU! or bolt 35. to

which is pivoted the lower end of the Clill ih rod 36 whose upper end engages the crank pin 37 extending from the crank arm 38. secured to the end of the shaft 39 which is journaled in the horizontal bearinglt), extending from the front of the supporting frame 1. At the other end of this shaft at the rear side of the supporting frame 1 is secured the worm wheel 41 which meshes with a worm -12, secured to the Sliflih-l?) and-jourimled in suitable bearings xtendin; from the frame 1, and mounted at its end is a driving wheel 4-1 which may be connected by bolt or other means with a drivin; source, usually a steam engine driven by the steam generated in the boiler with which the stoker to be controlled is associated. The ratchet disk 29 has only one tooth 45, and a pawl 46 is pivoted on the pin 4? er tending from the crank frame 33. This pawl is always below the ratchet disk ill) and has a weighted tail 4R whcrclf its end -16 is held against the surface of the disk .29. and when the tooth 4-3 comes in proper position, it will be engaged by the pawl, whcreafter upon oscillation of the crank frames the disk '2!) and valve stem will be rotated The hml part of the crank :ll suhstam; circular and has n set-hon cut away from its periphery to leave :1 statiom ary al'mtmcnt 49, which abutment extend inwardly a distance in order to engage with the end of the arm or frame 30 carrying the pawl 31. Pivoted to the valve stem just outside the crank frame 34 is a frame or arm 50 held between the shoulder 51 on the valve stem and d. collar 52 secured to the valve stem. Extending inwardly from the end of this frame or arm is an abutment also in the path of the end of the pawl frame 30. Near the end of the frame is an opening 54c through which extends a pin 55 having acollar Another collar 57 is mounted on the reduced end 58 of the pill, and at the end of the reduced end secured a knob or wheel 59. Secured to the hub of the frame 50 is a spring frame till. best shown in Figs. :2, 9 and 10, whose end engages in the roove between the collars 56 and 57, the spring tending to hold the collar 56 against the frame 50 and the pin in the opening 54. Through the crank frames are a plurality of openings 61 disposed in an arc concentric with the valve stem and having a diameter to easily receive the end of the pin 53. The pin is intended to pass through the opening 54 and through one of the openings 61, and upon pulling of the knob 59. the pin may be Withdrawn from the engaged opening; 61 against the force of the spring frame, and by turning: the frame 50, the pin end may be brought into position before any other opening (ll, and upon releasing of the knob, the spring frame will force the pin into the registering owning 61. The stationary abutment i9 is always at one side of the pawl frame end while the adjustable abutment 53 is at the other side of this frame, and upon adjusting the abutment 53 with respect to the crank frame 33, the amount of oscillation of the pawl frame 30 upon the oscillation of the crank frames is determined.

Looking at Figs. 2 and 8, when the connet-ling rod is moved down upon rotation of the crank 38. the ad ustableabutment 32% engages the pawl frame 30 and moves the pawl toward the left over a number 01" teeth ments are equal. the pawl frame will be returned to its normal position. the ratchet disk 28 and the valve stem being rotated to the right through an arc. depending upon the number of teeth that the pawl passed over when the pawl frame was moved toward the left by the adjustable abutment. The number of teeth traveled over by the pawl when moved by the adjustable abatment and the consequent amount of rotation of the valve-stem upon the return of the pawl by the stationary abutment is deter: mined by the relativeadjiistment between the abutment frame and the crank frame 34. On the outside of the crank frame 34 are scale indications 69., indicating numbers of teeth. and on the spring frame 60'is a po nter (53 for coiiper ating with the scale. When the frame 50 has been adjusted and the pin 55 set in a particular hole 61, the pointer 63 will indicateon the scale the numher of teeth which were traveled over by the pawl 31. and the subsequent are of rotation of the valve stem. can, therefore. at any time be determined.

As before stated, there is only one tooth on the pawl disk 29. and the position of this tooth is such that the pawl 46 will he in engagement therewith wfhen the valve outlet is in position over, and'in registration with the port 0pening18 connected with the front end of the cylinder of the Stoker. The crank radius of the crank frames and the crank radius of the arm 38 are so adiustevt that the oscillation of the crank frames will be through an are equal in length tothearc adjoining the port openings. The adjustment is also such that when the pawl 46 comes into engagement with the tooth 43. the connecting rod and cranloframes will he in their lowermost position. Now. when the. crank disks move to their upper position. the disk 29 engaged by the pawl 46 is rotated, and the valve stem to which the disk is secured is also rotated -and the valve moved with the stem to carry its port outlet into position over and in register with the port 17 leading to the other end of the c vlinder 19. When the crank frames are again moved to their lower position. the pawl 46 is carried away from the tooth 45, and the adju'stable abutment :33 engages thepawl frame 30 and moves the pawl toward the left over a number of teeth for which the adjustment is set, and upon return of the crank frames to their upper position, the Stationary a utment engages the pawl fl'tlllll to return the pawl to its normal position and thereby causing a rotary advancement of the valve stem to which tln ratchctnvheel is secured. The valve is thus moved by steps or advancements until the valve outletagain comes into position in registration with the port in. As will he noticed by examinin; Fig. 8. the part ll of the ratchet disk 28 has no teeth. and during the last movement toward the left of the pawl to subsequently carry the waive outlet to the port 13. the pawl engages on this toothless surface. and when the pawl is returned to the right. it passes over a section of the toothless part. and during this time causes no rotation of the ratchet wheel and valve. but during the end of this return movement. the pawl engages the first tooth on the disk and at the end of the oscillation of the crank frame, the ratchet disk '28 will have been moved to bring the valve opening into posi-' tion in registration with the port 18. The valve outlet remains at rest with its outlet in full communication with the port 18 during the downward movement of the crank frames to carry the pawl 46 into engagement with the tooth 45 which is now in proper position for such engagement. The steam. therefore, has ample time to flow through the valve mechanism to the cylinder 19 and perform its functions. When the crank frames again'move to their upper positipn. the disk 29 engaged by the pawl 46 is. rotated and the valve also rotated. to carry its outlet over the port 17, as before described. The valve remainsat rest with its outlet over the port 17 during the time that the pawl is carried by the adjustable abutment over the ratchet disk 28, and the valve is then given advancement to close the port- 17 when the pawl is returned to its normal position carrying with it the disk 25'. and the valve, as before described. is then angular-l advanced by steps until this outlet again registers with the port 18. this cycle of operation so being repeated. 4

From the above constriction, it can readily be seen that the disadvantages pointed out in the mechanism shown in the Ramsdell patentreferred to are entirely eliminated. The valve by coming to rest with its outlet in full register with the ports allows a sul icient How of steam and ample time for the proper operation of the stoker mechanism by the steam. By means of the adjustable abutment and the scale indication. the attendant can ascertain the exact speed of operation of the valve and can adjust itto any desired value. The operation and position at any time of the valve are, therefore, just as clear to the attendant as though he could actually see the valve. Also by virtue of the ar rangeinent of the valve whereby it is'prac- .The crank memhcn; and 3-; of each valve said norts IPgzH'iIllflSS of the length of the tieall r floated by the steam, the power neeesl sary to dri e the valve mechanism is racl til-Jilly negligible, and there is practicahy no wear on the operating ports. l

As shown in 2, a plurality of valvea i may be driven from asingle crank shaft and i connecting rod. The valves to any number are suitably mounted in a row, as shown.

mechanism further eonnectcd together by a pivot pin and a connecting rod CC engages all those pivot pins, whereby the osc' lotions of the crank members connected with the connecti rod transmitted to the crank members o the oth r valve nici-nanisms. Although .e, 0?. 'llntions are the same, the advancements or lficifil1z=3l5 of rotation of the di ll'll li valves ncd not he alike.- Each valve i'oirclin in may be adjusted, as desired to cansc any rate of operation of the. stolicr mechanism connected therewith.

I do not- Wish to or. limited to the exact ronstructions and a 'rangcincnt herein di.=- closcd, as I am aware that molly changes and modifications may be made which will still 3 mnie within the venue of H1)? invention.

hat, I desire to secure by Letters Patent are the following claims.

'1. In i'filllbllliiilOll, a rotary valve having an outlet, a valve seat having two scparatc ports disposed in the path of said outlet, mechanism for advancing said valve z-tcp by step through one of the are: connectiu; said ports and finally bringing it to HSl with said outlet in registration with one of individual steps through whiirl: said valve is moved, a device, :lfiSGa'lfliUl with said 3 mechanism for varying; th-e length of said sit-p5, mechanism arranged to advance said valve positively thr: h the other arc c unerling aid ports so is to tiring said ontlri into rrgi trutiou with the seroial of :iid' ports, and luv-ans for actuating said nwelr anisin.

2. in combination. a rotary valve having: an outlet. a valve Rent ha ving two scpnvntv ports dispwcd in the path of said outlet. nu-rhunisin ior advancing said valve slop by step through one ofthe :u'rs (mint-cling; said ports and finally bringing it. to run with will outlet in regie'trntion with one of said ports rwmrdless of the length of tho in g diviilual stop; through which said valve. in} inoJed. a device ElFfiUtitltttl. with said xnech- :iniqn for varying the length of said steps, mechanism arranged to advance said valve positively through tho-ether are connecting said ports by a singld movement; so as to bring said outlet into registration with the ing said mechanism.

3. In comln 911011. a rotary valve having an outlet, a valve having two scparatfid second of said ports, and means for a. l

equal t ,or in: than one of such stops ilhl (la-u bring said I iittu registration will the latter port. a tiLYi'f zn--roriatvd with sad nn-uhanism for varying thrlvui lh o" along inerlnmimi for :u-liuati ill through tho other ar runner-ting mill 3 d lil='Z-ll for avtuating said inz-"luani l. in eoznhinaiiou. a rotary vo i an outlet. a n! to! the valve in ort oinniH- iiip-t'med in th mliii't. em-22in in? t'nstr lhfl on who of the valvo. mean; JUL l ngth oi tin:- augniar admire-cinema tor ruining the ozztlrt to la. (EST-R11: art rrgislr! with one of the port 1' afiw' a sories of angular :nlvnnren: t mg; for (aiming tlii'rctround-2.: lllklll of the valve in carry tho omict iliic ziy into cngagouunt will. the othr-s port openlug.

In combination, a rotary vo having an outlet, :1 Seat for the valve having two port opvning diaposod in the path of the outlet, a rocking frame. a pawl on lid rocking frame. a ratclictwheel comic (i with tho valve and cooperating -h and pawl. nwamr for rot-hing; 31': frame for causing continued o. 'latinne: of said frame to rwiprocala said pawl through a path equal in length to llni polar di 9 brine-en the port openings. an itltilll llll'l conuvcted with the vol .1 diiiouai pivoted fraino. an adii'iiior I pivotod to said additional flzllll'c. no alile abutment nn-chanisni ca ried lrv ii frame for engaging; with the midi rame to cause roii ierntion oi the :uhlitio awl with the additional ratch-xt wheel, .7 tir-t pawl and ratchet wheel causing valve 'outlct to he carried dirrctly from one ort opening to the other. and said second pawl and rah-hot H'l fl'llfllllfnl cooperating to return the outlet to the first port. opening.

i. in valve znerlntnnnn tho combination of a rotary valve havin-rin outlr-t. F a for tho valve having in p it opening nioposed in the path of the millet. moan. for causing one angular n lvancz-nicnt oi the valve during each complete revolution thereof to carry the outlet from one port opening to the other, means for causing a series of advancements during the remaining part T. ln valve mechanism, the combination of a rotary valve having an outlet, :1 seat for the valve having two port openings disin the path of the outlet, means for causmr one angular advancement of the valve 1 uring each com lete revolution thereof to carry the outlet rom one port opening to the other, means for causing a series of advancements during the remaining part of the revolution to return the outlet to the fir st engaged port opening. means for maintaining constant the length of the. first angular advancement. m ans for adjusting the len th of the'advaucements of the series, an means for causing the outlet to come. nto exact register with the first port opening after each series of advancements.

8. In valve mechanism, the combination of a rotary valve having an outlet, a seat, for

the valve having two port openings dis )osed in the path of the outlet, said outlet lieing normally in connection with one of the'port; openings, means for causing one-angular advancement of the valve during each complete revolution thereof to carry the outlet directly from said first port 0 eniug to the second port opening. means or causing a series of advancements of the valve to re turn the outlet toward the first pJrt opening, means for adjusting the length of the series of advancements, and means for adjusting the last angular advancement of the series to cause the outlet to come. into exact register with the first port opening.

9. In valve mechanism, the combination of a rotary valve having an outlet, a seat for the valve having two port openings disposed in the path of the outlet, :1 frame pivoted concentric, a-pawl carried by said frame, a one-tooth ratchet wheel cooperating with said pawl and connected with the valve means for causing continued rocking of said framejhrough a polar angle equal to the polar angle between the port openings, said tooth and pawl being so disposed that when iuengagementthe. valve outletwill be carried from one port. opening directly to the other. an additional frame pivoted concentric with the valve, an additional pawl carried by said frame, an additional ratchetavheel cooperating with said pawl and connected with the valve, abutments on said frame cooperating with the additional frame to control angular reciprocation thereof upon reciprocation of the main frame, reciprocation of the additional frame causing the additional pawl and ratchet mechanism to cooperate to cause step by step advancements of the valve to restorethe outletto the first port opening, and a cam surface carried by the additional ratchet wheel for adjusting the length of the last angular advancement; by the additional pawl and ratchet mechanism to cause the outlet to come into exact register with the first port opening.

10. In valve mmhanisin, the combination of a rotary valve having an outlet, a seat for the valve having port openings disposed in the path of the outlet. a frame pivoted concentric with the valve, means for causing continued uniform angular reciprocation of said frame, an additional frame pivoted concentric with the valve, apawl carried by said frame, a ratchet wheel connected with the valve and cooperating with the pawl, and adjustable abutments on said main frame cooperating with the additional frame to adjust the length of the angular advancements of the valve.

11. In valve mechanism, the combination of a rotary valve having an outlet, a seat for the valve having port openings for connet-ting with said outlet, :1 main frame pivoted concentric with the valve, means for reciprocating said frame through a constant polar angle, an addit onal frame pivoted conccntric with the valve, a pawl carried hy said frame, a ratchet wheel secured to the valve and cooperating with said pawl,abutmentson the. main frame engaging with the additional frame to cause angular recipro cation thereof upon angular reciprocation of the main frame wherehy said valve is given angular advancements, means for ad- ]usting said ahntments to cause the angle of the valve advancements to be smaller than the angle of reciprocation of the main frame.

12. In valve mechanism. the combination of a rotary valve having int-outlet, a seat for the valve having ort openings for connecting with said out et, a main-frame pivoted concentric with the means for reciprocating said frame through a constant polar angle, an additional frame pivoted concentric with the valve, a pawl carried by said frame, a ratchet wheel secured to the valve and cooperating with said pawl, abutments on the main frame engaging with the additional frame to cause angular reciprocation thereof upon angular reciprocation of the main frame whereby said valve 15 "iven angular advancements, means for ad-' usting saidalmtments to cause the angle of the valve advancements to be smaller than the angle of reciprocation of the main frame, and an additional pawl and ratchet mechanism adapted to cause advancements cf the valve through an les equal to the angle of reciprocation of the mam frame. I

' 13. In valve mechanism, the combination of a rot-a valve having an outlet, 2. seat for the va ve having port openings adapted to connect with said outlet, :1 main frame pivoted concentric with the valve, means for causing polar reciprocation of said main frame through a constant polar angle, a

6 e senses bawl carried by said frame, a ratchet wheel 1 when creme-fled with the valve fur (15 connected with the wire and co jperniing with said pawi to Cause angular rah-wincemerits of the Jake, an additional pe -x1 can ried by said frame, an additional ratchet wheel ccnneeted with the valve. for eoriporat-ing with saicl additional pzm h apntmems an the main frame for engagemenfh with {he additienal frame to cause angular reviprocation thereof and therefore anguiar advancements of the valve upon reciprueniion of the main frame, and means for adjnstin said abutments t0 the angie of saiu advancements 1:1? the additional pawl and ratchet Iflfldlalilii 14. In valve. mechanism, the combinat on of z: TQiF-IY wire in cing an (m llet. :1 S621; fur the valve inning pm'iepeningie {hid vied i0 connect wiih s; outlet, Er main frmne yivoted concentric with the valve, means for causing 901a! reeiprccaiie-n of said main frame through a consrant pemr flllgiii, n paw carried by said frame, a raiehes Wheel connected with {he valve and coiiperating with said pawl to cause angular advance ments of the YSEVG, an additional pawl carried by said frame, an additional ratchet min; \riiia and nddiiienni paw ahn'iu on the inc-Lin frame for engagement whh ..naddiliunai frame to cause zrnguhir recipzucatiun iherr-ef and therefore angular wk vuncenrenzs of the valve upon recinrmxitinn of the main frame, means 501 adj rifting said ahutments to adjust the angle of said as.- fmzceznerzs by the addi irinal pawl and ratchef nzwhunisnl, and means fur cnuzsnzg said pawl and ratchet mechanism to he efi'ecteii mice during each "ov'lplete revolutiun at valve, said or i direciiy herween the port openings during the. 0pm iun of said first pawl and raichef meezzax and carried intermittently behrean iii.- porL openings during the operation of rho :niditionn paw} and 1'a.eh\' t nnchnniszn.

In \vimsss whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 25th (193' of Sepit-mber A. 1)., i906.

JOHN M. ROE.

Witnesses: Y

CHARLESJ. SCHBHDT, Amati: B. Borz'rrcnsn. 

